Personal Care Attendants

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Supporting Academic Independence and On-Campus Accessibility

Students with disabilities who require assistance with activities of daily living or nursing care are encouraged to retain the services of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA).

PCAs play a critical role in a student's quality of life and independent access to campus by assisting with tasks such as dressing, personal hygiene, feeding, navigating campus layouts, and transferring to and from a wheelchair.

Please note: College of the Mainland does not provide, coordinate, or assume financial responsibility for PCA services. Students needing personal attendant assistance must make private arrangements to secure a PCA and ensure their attendant adheres to the institutional guidelines below.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for managing their PCAs ' information and ensuring compliance with college regulations:

  • Register with Our Office: Complete your intake with Accessibility Services and provide appropriate documentation verifying your medical or physical need for an on-campus PCA.
  • Provide Contact Information: Submit your PCA's official name and contact information to the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator. If you hire a new or additional attendant, update this information immediately.
  • Secure Coverage in Advance: Secure your agency-affiliated or private PCA prior to participating in any college-related activities, including enrollment and class attendance. COM cannot provide a PCA on an interim or temporary basis.
  • Manage Your Care: You are solely responsible for directing your PCA's activities while on campus and ensuring your personal care needs are met.
  • Have a Backup Plan: Develop an alternative plan of action in case your regularly assigned PCA is unavailable or absent.
  • Coordinate Campus Parking: Ensure your PCA obtains a College of the Mainland parking pass through your student account portal.

Boundaries of the PCA on Campus

To maintain academic integrity and a focused classroom environment, all PCAs must abide by distinct boundaries regarding their campus presence:

  • Mobility Focus Only: The PCA is present in class solely to assist the student with physical and mobility-related needs.
  • No Classroom Participation: PCAs must not participate in the learning process, complete assignments, or provide verbal/non-verbal feedback on course materials. This includes speaking out in class, raising hands to answer questions, or gesturing approval/disapproval.
  • Faculty Guidance: The PCA must follow all classroom management instructions outlined by the course instructor, including seating assignments, noise control, and emergency evacuation protocols.
  • Academic Distance: PCAs must not act as a general assistant to the instructor or other students, run classroom errands, or share textbooks with other classmates.
  • No Testing Assistance: PCAs are strictly prohibited from helping, assisting, or participating during quizzes, tests, or exams. All testing accommodation arrangements must be coordinated directly through the Accessibility Services Coordinator.
  • Communication Limits: It is generally not appropriate for a PCA to ask questions of faculty or staff on behalf of the student. All academic communication must come directly from the student.
  • Waiting Policy: PCAs may assist students before and after class but must wait outside the classroom during lectures unless an in-class presence is explicitly deemed necessary and approved by the Accessibility Services Coordinator.
  • Attendant Qualifications: A PCA must not be a family member. It is highly recommended that PCAs be trained as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or home health nurses. Attendants can also be obtained through specialized community organizations such as Texas Workforce Solutions.

All PCAs are required to follow applicable College of the Mainland policies, rules, and regulations. If a PCA violates institutional procedures, the Accessibility Services Coordinator may determine that the attendant is no longer permitted on campus. In this event, it remains the student's responsibility to secure a replacement PCA.

We're Here to Help

Accessibility Services
Ensuring Equal Access, Fostering Independence, Empowering Success.

Doyle Family Administration Building (Inside the Student Success Center)

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. available upon request on Monday's. Send email to arrange.

409-933-8919
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